KINE 482 Summarizing (Introduction)

KINE 482Summarizing (Introduction) David L. Wright Information adapted from http://writingcenter.tamu.edu

Today we will.. • Identify (explain why) a good annotated bibliography • Read and proof annotated Bibliographies • Describe the features of summaries for use in the introduction of a journal article Fall 2007 — 2

Summary: Goal Summarizing gives the “gist” of a journal article. • This should be in your own words and not the author’s. • It should cover the main points of the article that are pertinent to your work. • It should be significantly shorter than the original. Fall 2007 — 3

Summary: Why use one? Summarization can be used for many purposes such as: • conveying a general idea or theme • providing only necessary information • shortening sections of an introduction • provide crucial support for idea or theme • adding credibility • Establishing a background • offering an overview of a topic of importance Fall 2007 — 4

Summary: What’s should it contain • Effective summaries are made up of concise, coherent sentences that communicate the key information of a passage. • Summaries may involve deleting extraneous material, highlighting key points, synthesizing the overall meaning, or miniaturizing primary ideas. • Remember that a summary must remain faithful to the author’s interpretation and emphasis. • Summaries should focus on what the author is saying, not on how he or she is proving it. • You should not give your own opinions about the author’s message; instead, maintain a neutral tone. Your summary can be biased only if the original passage is biased. Fall 2007 — 5

Summary: Getting Started I • Read the passage you are summarizing at least twice so that you fully comprehend what the author is saying. • Isolate the thesis, or main idea, of the passage to be summarized. • Work through the text to identify the portions that support the author’s main idea; highlight or underline these sections • Rephrase the main points into your own sentences, but remember to keep the author’s intended purpose and message. • Begin with a reference to the writer, the title of the work, and possibly when and where it was published (see APA). Fall 2007 — 6

Summary: Getting Started II • Avoid plagiarism while you are summarizing. Changing change sentence structure and vocabulary can be helpful in this respect. • Your summary does not have to be in the same order as the original passage but maintaining the same balance as the author is desirable. • Revise and edit to ensure accuracy. • If you get stuck, verbalize to a colleague or associate. You will often naturally identify the main points with the required supporting details. Fall 2007 — 7

Summary Checklist • Is the main idea clear and accurate? • Is your summary concise? • Does your summary include only information found in the original? • Does your summary read like a unified paragraph? • Did you include bibliographic information? • Does your summary include your opinions or analysis? If so, delete them. Fall 2007 — 8

What You Should Have Completed For Our Next Class • Re-write your annotated bibliographies • Write a summary for each of your cited journal • IMPORTANT NOTE – summaries improve with practice!!! Fall 2007 — 9

KINE 482 Summarizing (Introduction)